What Is Punctuation? An Overview + Examples

Punctuation adds order, clarity, emphasis and timing to writing. Punctuation marks are the specific symbols used to punctuate writing. 

Punctuation marks provide order and timing by separating and organizing thoughts. Punctuation provides clarity and emphasis by indicating whether something is a question, a statement, or an exclamation.

The marks we use for punctuation bring writing alive and help to make strings of words into comprehensible pieces of writing. 

Learn best practices for using punctuation in your writing, then conveniently review your content for proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling with the Originality.ai Grammar Checker.

Why Is Punctuation Used in Writing?

Punctuation provides essential clues and pacing for readers. Without punctuation marks, sentences, paragraphs, and full stories become just non-stop strings of words (like extended run-on sentences) that are difficult to understand. 

Example of text without punctuation:

The man tried starting his car the engine wouldn’t turn over when the woman in coveralls with the bag of mechanics tools walked in front of the car he wanted to ask for help he didnt want to bother her though she seemed to be in a hurry however she saw him and noticed he needed help without being asked she stopped and took a look how did she know the man was relieved within minutes he was back on the road

A reader gets breathless just trying to make sense of that block of words. However, with the correct punctuation, the read is very smooth.

Example of text with punctuation:

The man tried starting his car. The engine wouldn’t turn over. When the woman in coveralls, with the bag of mechanic’s tools, walked in front of the car, he wanted to ask for help. He didn’t want to bother her, though; she seemed to be in a hurry. However, she saw him and noticed he needed help. Without being asked, she stopped and took a look. How did she know? The man was relieved! Within minutes, he was back on the road.

By adding a few punctuation marks — and following the rules that go with them — the lines of words turn into sentences, which turn into a story a reader can follow. 

End Punctuation Marks

Marks of end punctuation, also called terminal punctuation, include:

• Periods (.)
• Question marks (?)
• Exclamation points (!)

Each of these three marks is placed at the end of a complete thought to indicate a stop. There are three different ones to signal three different types of complete sentences. 

• Period: indicates a statement
  
  • The man started the car.
• Question mark: indicates a question or statement of uncertainty or doubt
  
  • The man started the car?
• Exclamation point: indicates excitement or emphasis
  
  • The man started the car! 

Rules of end punctuation

When end punctuation is used between two sentences, the next sentence must begin with a capital letter, no matter what type of end punctuation is used. 

Examples of end punctuation and capitalization:  

• The coffee was too hot. They couldn’t drink it yet.
• The coffee was too hot! Do you know if they had a chance to drink it yet?
• The coffee was too hot? They couldn’t drink it yet!

Only complete sentences (has a subject and verb and is a complete thought) get end punctuation. 

Exclamations and rhetorical questions

Short exclamations, utterances, or commands use an exclamation point, even when not part of a complete sentence. Similarly, short questions or rhetorical phrases can use a question mark. 

Examples of exclamations and rhetorical questions: 

• Oh!
• Stop!
• Oh, really?
• Seriously?

Punctuation Marks That Pause and Set Off Information

Some punctuation is used to create pauses, separate ideas, or set off information. 

The most common of these punctuation marks are:

• Commas
• Parentheses
• Semicolons
• Colons
• Dashes
• Hyphens
• Ellipses

Commas

Commas (,) are separators; they also help create pauses in writing. Some punctuation uses for commas include:

• Separating items in a series: Bread, milk, and butter. 
• Separating an introductory clause: At the store, I bought groceries.
• Separating independent clauses: I am going to the store tomorrow, and I’ll buy groceries. 
• Setting off information: The store, which is close to my house, has groceries. 
• Setting off an appositive: The store, Whole Foods Market, has my favorite coffee beans.
• Setting off a quotation: She said, “That coffee is the best!”
• Indicating a direct address: Hi, Jane. 

Parentheses

Parentheses are used in writing to set off additional information within a sentence. While parenthetical information isn’t usually essential, it often provides helpful insight for a reader. 

Examples of parentheses in a sentence: 

• She wore her new dress (the yellow one) to the party.
• All three of the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) were in her artwork.
• The study considered the value of homework (Example Name, 2022, p. 10).

Parentheses have specific uses with numbers, too.

• Dates with a sentence: Example Person (1930–2030) lived to be 100.
• Area codes: (555) 555-5555
• Some math operations: (1 x 4) + 16

Semicolons

Semicolons (;) are punctuation marks that break two complete sentences apart without adding a capital letter at the start of the second complete thought. They mark a briefer stop between sentences than a period does. 

Example of a semicolon in a sentence: 

• The coffee was too hot; they couldn’t drink it yet.

Colons

Colons are punctuation marks that introduce, illustrate, and emphasize. Some of the ways that colons are used for punctuation include:

• Connecting two related sentences: 
  
  • He did something nice: he cooked her dinner.
• Introducing a list:
  
  • We need some supplies: sugar, salt, eggs, and flour. 
• Introducing dialogue or quotation:
  
  • You know that old saying: “All’s well that ends well.”
  • (In dialogue) Jenny: Do I hear a morning bird?
• Numeric jobs (ratios, odds, times):
  
  • 2:1, 20:1, 12:30
• Separating a title from a subtitle: 
  
  • “Thor: The Dark World”

Dashes

Dashes in writing enclose and separate information from the rest of a sentence. Dashes generally emphasize the words they enclose. 

There are two types of dashes in punctuation:

• En dashes (–): Uncommon. They stand for “to, through, or until” in a range of values.
  
  • Example: Real Madrid won 4–1 over Barcelona today.
• Em dashes (—): Very common and have many uses.

The many uses of an em dash:

• Inserting or setting off new or additional information in a sentence.
  
  • The dog — who is untrained — ate my shoe.
  • I have great news — I’m engaged!
• Setting off an appositive in a sentence.
  
  • The store — Whole Foods Market — has my favorite coffee beans.
• Indicating new direction in a sentence.
  
  • Let’s go — wait, I left my keys at home!

The rules for spacing around em dashes can vary by style guide. 

For instance, the AP Style guide recommends spaces on either side of the em dash (as shown in the examples above), while the APA style guide does not use spaces. If you aren’t sure which formatting to use, refer to your organization’s style guide.

Hyphens

Hyphens (-) are the shortest dash-type punctuation mark. They are used to create compound words and to hyphenate compound modifiers preceding a noun to provide clarity. Hyphens have many uses, rules and exceptions. So many, in fact, that when wondering if a word needs hyphenation, it is best to consult a dictionary. 

Apostrophes as punctuation marks

Apostrophes are in a punctuation class of their own. They don’t end sentences, separate information, or create pauses like so many other punctuation marks. 

In grammar, an apostrophe is a punctuation mark used to indicate possession and to replace omitted letters, words, or numbers in contractions. 

Examples of apostrophes:

• That is Mary’s toothbrush.
• The molasses’ sweetness made the cookies delicious.
• The Smiths’ house is beautiful. 
• I can’t go.
• I love music from the ‘90s.
• It’s about time to leave. 

Punctuation Marks Make Writing Better!

Without proper punctuation, writing is difficult to read. The variety of punctuation marks helps a writer control the pacing, emphasis and delivery of the words on the page. 

Review your content to make sure you are punctuating it correctly with the Originality.ai Grammar Checker.

Then, learn more in our punctuation grammar series:

• A Guide to Using Exclamation Marks in Writing
• When to Use a Period for Punctuation
• When to Use Question Marks
• How to Use an Apostrophe
• Semicolons — How to Use Them Effectively